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Martin Donnelly (footballer, born 1988)

Martin Donnelly (born 28 August 1988) is a retired Northern Irish footballer born in Belfast who played as a winger.[1]

After previously playing for Sheffield United and Rochdale, without appearing in the Football League, Donnelly signed for Crusaders in the summer of 2008, and won the Irish Cup in 2009.[2] Along with team-mate Colin Coates, he was called up to the Northern Ireland squad for the match against Italy on 6 June 2009. Donnelly entered the game as an 82nd-minute substitute to win his first full cap,[3][4] to add to the three under-21 caps he had won previously.

During his time with the Crues, he made a total of 126 appearances, scoring 22 goals. After turning down the club's offer of a new contract midway through the 2010–11 season, Donnelly joined North Belfast rivals Cliftonville on a two-year contract, of whom he is a lifelong fan.[5]

Donnelly joined Larne in the 2018 transfer window[6] and quickly established himself as a firm fans favourite. He scored 24 goals as the club romped to the 2018/19 Championship title. On 16 August 2021 it was announced that Donnelly had signed for Linfield, as part of a player exchange deal which saw Navid Nasseri move to Larne.[7]

Honours

Crusaders

Cliftonville

Larne

Individual

References

  1. ^ "David Healy - news of a signing from Larne and a departure to Larne". Linfield F.C. 16 August 2021.
  2. ^ Allen, Tommy (9 May 2009). "Crusaders triumph in all-Belfast final". UEFA. Archived from the original on 11 May 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
  3. ^ "Brave NI fall short in Italy". Sky Sports. 6 June 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
  4. ^ "Match facts". Sky Sports. 6 June 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
  5. ^ "Donnelly signs for Cliftonville". BBC News. 13 May 2011.
  6. ^ "Cliftonville trio Martin Donnelly, Ciaran Caldwell and Chris Ramsey move to Larne". BBC News. 11 December 2017.
  7. ^ "Irish Premiership: Martin Donnelly joins Linfield from Larne as Navid Nasseri makes move in opposite direction". BBC Sport NI. 16 August 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  8. ^ "County Antrim Shield final: Larne defeat Glens in Seaview shootout". BBC Sport. BBC. 2 December 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  9. ^ "Premiership Team of the Year revealed". Belfast Live. 6 June 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2021.